No:298/25, Press release on the Khankendi Communiqué adopted as a result of the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization
06 July 2025 20:33
On 3–4 July 2025, the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was held in the city of Khankendi, Republic of Azerbaijan.
At the initiative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the Summit was dedicated to the theme “ECO’s New Vision for a Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Future.” Prior to the Summit, the ECO Youth Forum was held in Aghdam on 1 July, the ECO Women’s Forum in Lachin on 2 July, and the 6th ECO Business Forum in Shusha on 2 July.
As a result of the 17th ECO Summit, the Khankendi Communiqué, serving as the Chair’s Summary, was adopted.
The Communiqué highly appreciated the large-scale reconstruction and restoration work carried out in the Garabagh and East Zangezur economic regions liberated from occupation.
The document also reaffirmed the right of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia to return to their native lands with dignity.
In line with the theme of the Summit, economic resilience and climate sustainability were identified as key priorities in ECO’s future agenda.
The Communiqué highly commended the environmental initiatives of women leaders of the ECO region, including the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye Emine Erdoğan, particularly the “Zero Waste” initiative.
The launch of the ECO Clean Energy Center and the expansion of the activities of the ECO Research Center were considered important.
The document also supported strengthening the mandate of ECO Trade and Development Bank, the ECO Investment framework, the Council of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the establishment of a unified information space.
The importance of sustainable urban development and the World Urban Forum (WUF13) to be held in Baku next year was also emphasized.
The Khankendi Communiqué is available at the following link:
https://eco.int/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/5-065-25-1.pdf